Thinking of Selling a Gifted Chevelle from my father

[Gobills17]

My father bought a beautiful 1970 454 Chevelle w/ “Camaro Blue paint with white racing stripes” in 1997 when I was 21 years old. My Dad was big into car shows of which I went to a lot of with him throughout the years. My father had a big 3 car detached garage (beautiful decked out for old cars) at his house, where he housed this car and two other classics for years. He developed Alzheimer’s last year and was no longer able to drive, so he gifted me his 70 Chevelle. We had to sell their house as my parents are now in an assisted living facility. I do not have the garage space to keep it and therefore had to put it in a storage unit for $210/month. I have been looking to build a detached garage at my house but (1) its going to costs me 65K that I don’t have and (2) I will have to fight tooth and nail with the town to get it approved as the space is not within their guidelines and, all to build a shrine for my father (and his car) that I will take out 4-5 times a year for a ride. I’m not into the car shows, etc. So, I am toying with the idea of selling it and getting something that is basically a newer version (replica) that I and my family can actually enjoy.

Before broaching the topic with family & friends… I am interested in hearing what people on here think?

My father did ask me about 8 years ago…. “so, when you get the Chevelle, like what are you going to do with it?” So, I do think he would understand the rationale here. I love the Chevelle but its not practical for me and I would hate for it to just sit in a storage unit most of the time at $210/month.

I could probably convince my wife to let me put it in the garage when we know we're going to get a lot of rain and during the winter (I live in NY) I could store it at a fairground for very cheap. I would not put the Chevelle there as I would be too worried to something happening to it.

Thanks!

[79Bandit]

Unfortunately no one can make that suggestion for you. We don't know you or what you value. I can tell you my story though. I grew up without a father so I have no memories of having one. If I could be lucky enough to have a father and a part of our memories encapsulated in a prized possession of his. I would hold on to it forever.

[Ol'Jim]

Hello GoBills17,
Your post has hit very close to home with me! I thank you for sharing it with us.
I wish I had seen it earlier, I think it kind of really belongs in the Chevrolet Classics category. I would really like to know if you ended up selling the car or not, and if so, hopefully it went to a very appreciative buyer, and not someone who will only try to profit from it.

I hope you see this message, and I will apologize in advance, because it may go a bit long. There are several common or similar threads between your story and mine. And some differences as well. Your post brought up an emotional topic.

I am the Dad in this story. And thankfully, I do not have Alzheimer's at this time. I don't know how old your father is, I am 67. Like your Dad, I have always loved the 1970 Chevelle SS, I was 12 when they rolled out onto the streets and highways of America, and I wanted one so badly that I couldn't wait to be able to drive.
Fast forward a few years, I worked during high school at full service gas stations, pumping fuel, checking oil, etc. (There was no self serve back then). Being able to open the hood, look at, and touch those big block Chevy engines up close thrilled me, I memorized every detail.
Enlisted in the Navy at 18, still dreaming about getting a Chevelle SS.
After getting out, finding a decent job with the skills I had learned, I got my first Chevelle, a 66 SS 396 with a blown-up engine. Fixed it, liked it a lot, but always my goal was to eventually get a 70 SS 454.
Ok, another fast forward, about 20 years, to around the time your Dad bought his 70 Chevelle. And actually it may have even been the same year, about 1997. I had become a father 3 years earlier, was not making big money, but had a home and stumbled across an orange 70 Chevelle SS with a For Sale sign on it in a parking lot. Bought it for $2,400. It was not a show car, needed a lot of little detail things fixed or replaced.
I am not a car show guy, but when my little town has an event, they usually have a smallish show, and maybe 10-25 cool cars turn out, and I enjoy looking at them, talking with the owners. I would rather drive the Chevelle, those old muscle cars had basically zero "creature comforts" - This one has No Power Windows, No A/C, No fancy stereo, No Cruise Control, No Power / Remote controlled Door Locks or Power Seats, Mirrors, etc. Just a big, rumbling, powerful American V-8 engine, a huge thirst for Premium fuel, and a "Cool Factor" that nothing you can buy new today can equal.

Ok, so another fast forward. 15 years later, in 2012, I gifted my Chevelle to my son for his 18th birthday. Sounds crazy, handing a high school kid the keys to a big block muscle car. But he drove it carefully and still has it today. Sadly, it just sits in a stall in my oversized garage / shop. He very rarely drives it, he lives an hour away, is very busy with a great corporate job, and is on the hamster wheel of life.
I take the car out and drive it once or twice a year, to get it inspected, and re-registered. I charge the battery , and change the oil on it for him. I love driving that car, and working on it, and sometimes wish he would offer to sell it to me. My son says he will come up and spend some time on it this Fall, it does need a lot of the usual stuff gone through for a 55 year old car, (all new brake system, suspension bushings, tie-rods, etc.). I am looking forward to the father-son time with him, and hope he is able to make the time to do this with me.

Now back to your car, (and yes, I am also a fan of the Bills and Josh Allen)!
It would be amazing if you could post a photo of it to share with us. Even if you have already sold it. And if you have not, I really and truly encourage you to take it out, wash it, and drive it over to visit your father. I do understand some about Alzheimer's, it is a heartbreaking ailment, and even if your father no longer remembers owning that car, you might just tell him that you want to show him something, bring him out, show him the car and ask him what he thinks about it. And see how he responds. Avoid any painful or hurtful responses if possible. If he asks where you got it, just ask him if he likes it. If he does remember it, hopefully it will bring a smile to his face, and maybe a tear to your eyes. And of course give him a hug, if you have / had a hugs relationship with him.

I completely understand what you were saying, I spent over $100 a month storing that car for years. And I also understand that you are not your father, you are not into the things that he was, that is 100% normal. And with your young family, there would be more practical, safer, more comfortable vehicles to choose from. If you choose to sell it, (or already have), I am sure your Dad would understand and support the decision, just as I would if/when my son decides to part with his Chevelle.
I would imagine your father, (like myself), would hope that it would continue life in the hands of an enthusiast that would care for it, and appreciate it, for the piece of American automotive art and history that it is, and not a greedy person looking at it as an opportunity to make money, which is what has priced these cars beyond the reach of the younger folks who would love and appreciate them.
Oh, and if you do still have it, and plan to keep it for a while longer, that is awesome. If you are still thinking about selling it, and would consider the idea of it going to an older man who truly appreciates that year, make and model as his favorite vehicle of all time, and would drive it at least once or twice a month and care for it like his baby, I would love to talk it over with you.

Thank you for sharing your post about the amazing car, and your amazing Dad with us.
It opened up a well of emotions and fond memories for me. And makes me want to own another 70 SS Chevelle even more. Sorry about the long reply.